Barriers to HIV testing among Australian gay men

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett Prestage ◽  
Graham Brown ◽  
Phillip Keen
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

Objective To investigate the barriers to HIV testing among Australian gay men. Methods: An online survey was conducted to explore reasons for avoiding and delaying testing for HIV; 519 non-HIV-positive men completed the online survey. Results: Most non-HIV-positive men (92.9%) had been tested for HIV, with 75.4% indicating they had been tested in the previous year. The most common reasons for avoiding or delaying testing were a belief that they had not done anything risky (41.2%) and the need to return for a second clinic visit to receive results (40.3%). Among men who engaged in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (UAIC), those who had not been recently tested were more likely to cite the lack of any symptoms as reasons for not having tested (adjusted odds ratio: 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–5.31; P = 0.041). Conclusions: For men who do not engage in risky sex, the decision not to test is probably reasonable, but those who engage in noncondom-based risk reduction may be at some increased risk and should be encouraged to test relatively often. Changes to Australia’s national HIV testing policy may ameliorate some of the need to return for second clinic visits to receive results, but the policy still requires full implementation, including the introduction of rapid point-of-care HIV testing to Australia. Among men who engage in UAIC, there appears to be a particular need for information about the benefits of early treatment after HIV diagnosis and about the relative likelihood of experiencing HIV seroconversion illness.

A new surveillance system for monitoring HIV infection in Victoria, Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim ◽  
Yung-Hsuan J. Wang ◽  
Nicholas Medland ◽  
Jonathan Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Test

Objectives: To establish a new mechanism for monitoring patterns of HIV infection, in the context of a sustained increase in HIV diagnosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. Methods: Between April 2004 and August 2005, a linked voluntary HIV sentinel surveillance system was implemented at five medical clinics with a high case load of MSM. Using a questionnaire, doctors collected HIV testing history, demographic and sexual risk behaviour information from all clients undergoing voluntary HIV testing. Questionnaires were linked with HIV test results. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with HIV infection. Results: Of 3435 MSM tested for HIV at participating sites, 1.7%, (95% CI = 1.2–2.2) were newly diagnosed with HIV; between 2004 and 2005 the proportion increased from 1.3% (95% CI = 1.2–1.5) to 2.0% (95% CI = 1.8–2.2), P = 0.107. There was no significant change in the number of HIV tests conducted per month or in demographic characteristics, testing history and sexual behaviour characteristics between time periods. In multivariate analysis, reporting unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with any partner, UAI with a HIV-positive partner/s and being aged 30–39 years or 40 years or greater were significantly associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: This new surveillance mechanism, based on linked testing at participating clinics, indicates that the increase in HIV notifications in 2005 was unrelated to changes in testing and data from a Melbourne sexual behavioural survey suggests the increase was more likely to be attributed to increases in transmission within the past few years. The sentinel system highlighted UAI, especially with HIV positive partner/s are important transmission factors.

Observational study of the populations accessing rapid point-of-care HIV testing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, through a retrospective chart review of site records

2017 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Blain Johnston ◽  
Joss N Reimer ◽  
John L Wylie ◽  
Jared Bullard
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Hiv Test

ObjectivesHIV point-of-care testing (POCT) has been available in Manitoba since 2008. This study evaluated the effectiveness of POCT at identifying individuals with previously unknown HIV status, its effects on clinical outcomes and the characteristics of the populations reached.MethodsA retrospective database review was conducted for individuals who received HIV POCT from 2011 to 2014. Time to linkage to care and viral load suppression were compared between individuals who tested positive for HIV using POCT and controls identified as positive through standard screening. Testing outcomes for labouring women with undocumented HIV status accessing POCT during labour were also assessed.Results3204 individuals received POCT (1055 females (32.9%) and 2149 males (67.1%)), being the first recorded HIV test for 2205 (68.8%). Males were more likely to be targeted with POCT as their first recorded HIV test (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.40). Between the two main test sites (Main Street Project (MSP) and Nine Circles Community Health Centre), MSP tested relatively fewer males (AOR 0.79) but a higher proportion of members of all age groups over 30 years old (AOR 1.83, 2.51 and 3.64 for age groups 30–39, 40–49 and >50, respectively). There was no difference in time to linkage to care (p=0.345) or viral load suppression (p=0.405) between the POCT and standard screening cohorts. Of 215 women presenting in labour with unknown HIV status, one was identified as HIV positive.ConclusionsPOCT in Manitoba has been successful at identifying individuals with previously unknown HIV-positive status. Demographic differences between the two main testing sites support that this intervention is reaching unique populations. Given that we observed no significant difference in time to clinical outcomes, it is reasonable to continue using POCT as a targeted intervention.MeSH termsHIV infection; rapid HIV testing; vertical infectious disease transmission; community outreach; service delivery; marginalised populations.

Attention to diet, exercise, and weight in the oncology clinic: Results of a national patient survey.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10549-10549
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Ligibel ◽  
Lori J. Pierce ◽  
Catherine M. Bender ◽  
Tracy E Crane ◽  
Christina Marie Dieli-Conwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diet And Exercise ◽  
To Receive

10549 Background: Obesity and related factors are increasingly associated with increased risk of developing and dying from cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted a survey of cancer patients to assess their experience in receiving recommendations and referrals related to weight, diet and exercise as a part of their cancer care. Methods: An online survey was distributed to potential participants between March and June 2020 via ASCO channels and patient advocacy organizations, with an estimated reach of over 25,000 individuals. Eligibility criteria included being 18 years, living in the US, and having been diagnosed with cancer. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with recommendation and referral patterns. Results: In total, 2419 individuals responded to the survey. Most respondents were female (75.5%), 61.8% had an early-stage malignancy, 38.2% had advanced disease, and 49.0% were currently receiving treatment. Breast cancer was the most common cancer type (36.0%). Average BMI was 25.8 kg/m2. The majority of respondents consumed £2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (50.9%) and exercised £2 times per week (50.4%). Exercise was addressed at most or some oncology visits in 57.5% of respondents, diet in 50.7%, and weight in 28.4%. Referrals were less common: 14.9% of respondents were referred to an exercise program, 25.6% to a dietitian and 4.5% to a weight management program. In multiple regression analyses, racial and ethnicity minority respondents were more likely to receive advice about diet (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.56-2.38) and weight (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.23-2.17) compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals diagnosed with cancer in the past 5 yrs (vs > 5 yrs) were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23-1.79), and breast cancer patients were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.68) and weight (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07) than other cancer patients. Overall, 74% of survey respondents had changed their diet or exercise after cancer diagnosis. Respondents reporting that their oncologist spoke to them about increasing exercise or eating healthier foods were more likely to report a change in behavior than those whose oncologists did not (exercise: 79.6% vs 69.0%, P < 0.001; diet 81.1% vs 71.4%, P < 0.001). Respondents whose oncologist had spoken to them about exercise were more likely to exercise > 2 times per week compared to respondents whose oncologists did not address exercise (53.5% vs 44.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In a national survey of oncology patients, slightly more than half of respondents reported attention to diet and exercise during oncology visits. Provider recommendations for diet and exercise were associated with positive changes in these behaviors. Additional attention to diet and exercise as part of oncology visits is needed to help support healthy lifestyle change in cancer patients.

Anal Intercourse Without Condoms Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men Recruited From a Sexual Networking Web site, United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 749-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Margolis ◽  
Heather Joseph ◽  
Sabina Hirshfield ◽  
Mary Ann Chiasson ◽  
Lisa Belcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Networking ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

HIV transmission risk behaviours among HIV-positive persons in serodiscordant relationships

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 677-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth C Kalichman ◽  
David Rompa ◽  
Webster Luke ◽  
James Austin
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Unprotected Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Transmission Risk ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

As many as one in three persons living with HIV-AIDS continue to practise unprotected sexual intercourse and these practices often occur with HIV-negative or unknown HIV serostatus (serodiscordant) partners. The current study examined the rates of HIV transmission risk behaviours in non-regular (e.g. casual) and regular (e.g. steady) serodiscordant relationships. HIV positive men ( n = 269) and women ( n = 114) responded to measures of demographic characteristics, health and mental health status, and sexual behaviours assessed in partner-by-partner interviews. 257 (67%) participants were sexually active in the preceding three months and 182 (71%) of the sexually active persons had engaged in vaginal or anal intercourse with serodiscordant partners. Comparisons of persons with non-regular ( n = 97) and regular ( n = 85) serodiscordant partners showed that overall rates of unprotected and protected intercourse were greater with regular partners than non-regular partners. Disclosure of HIV status to regular and non-regular serodiscordant partners did not appear to influence the pattern of results. Mathematical modelling showed that HIV transmission estimates over a one-year horizon were significantly greater for male regular partners of HIV-positive men than non-regular partners and there was a trend toward greater HIV transmission rates from HIV-positive men to their regular serodiscordant female partners compared to non-regular partners. Results suggest an urgent need for HIV transmission risk reduction interventions for HIV serodiscordant couples, particularly for couples in established, regular relationships.

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